MITYANA – Youth from five sub-counties consisting of Bbanda, Maanyi, Kalangaalo, Bulera and Malangala in Mityana district have on Thursday, September 12, received agricultural farm inputs and village saving kits worth UGX 170M from Team-Up a consortium of Action 4 Health Uganda.
The agro project was co-funded by Hanns Neuman Stiftung and Wave Solutions. This is aimed at improving the livelihoods of the community people in areas of agriculture, water, health, increased income and civic engagements.
Speaking at the handover at their offices in Kitinkonkola Village, in Mityana district, the Monitoring and Evaluation officer at Action 4 Health Uganda, Ms.Josephine Watuulo revealed that over 50,000 youth between (15- 30) years are the target beneficiaries for the 3-year-project that is geared to empowering them better their lives, socially, financially and healthwise.
Mr.Simon Genza and Ms Teddy Nakyambadde who are both residents and beneficiaries hailed the program and shared their experiences about how this has transformed their source of income. They joined about a year ago and called upon their fellow youth to embrace the initiative to enjoy better lives.
“We were doing subsistence farming back then and it was really hard to tell the estimated amount from the produce but now it is all possible because of the increased productivity and value addition which is a result of the quality seeds, fertilizers and the ability to save in our SACCO,” said Ms Nakyambadde.
According to Mr. Farouk Ssemwanga a Youth expert attached to Hanns R. Neumanns Stiftung Uganda Agriculture employs 80 percent of the population and the youths handing agricultural inputs is a great deal.
“Using modified inputs in your coffee, tomatoes, maize and bean gardens yields a lot and this becomes your true core source of livelihood. We started in 2017 with coffee farmers and thought about the youth and decided to bring on other partners in water and health on board to have a complete package,” he asserted.
Mr. Joseph Luzige, the Chairperson L.C.5 said.
“The government has no capacity to work everywhere with the limited funds and that is why we are looking for development partners like these here to bridge the gap. These partners help us to move forward and with the youth having a tendency to be given, this will address that. Let us change the way you are working so that you are not used by politicians to achieve their selfish ambitions. We must work by ourselves and hopefully next year I will be the best farmer in Mityana district.”
“There is money in agriculture and that is why we should get involved. I really thank the partners for this big push towards the development of our district. Start adding value as it is the only way to elevate the lives of the community people,” Mr Luzige added.
The ceremony was graced by district leaders, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer( CAOs), community leaders, elders and beneficiaries among others.
The programme is funded by BMZ, DSW,Hanns R.Neuman Stiftung, Siemens and locally implemented by HRNS, Action 4 Health Uganda and Whave Solutions.